There are several matches this week in boys water polo that carry CIF rankings implications.

Today, Division 2 contenders Dana Hills and El Toro play the first of two South Coast League games. The host and defending league champion Dolphins are ranked second in Division 2, while the Chargers are fourth.

Also today, Segerstrom plays host to Temescal Canyon of Lake Elsinore in a duel of the top two teams in Division 6. The top-ranked Jaguars lost to Irvine, 7-6, in the finals of the Irvine tournament on Saturday.

On Saturday, Laguna Beach, ranked second in Division 3, plays at third-ranked Murrieta Valley at 10 a.m. The squads were ranked first-second in Division 3 until Capistrano Valley grabbed the top spot with a strong performance at the South Coast Tournament.

Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said entering the season that Murrieta Valley was his vote for No. 1 in Division 3.

In Division 1 on Saturday, Newport Harbor plays host to Corona del Mar in the teams’ Battle of the Bay match at 7 p.m.

Mission Viejo went 4-0 as it captured the Grafton Weiss Tournament on Saturday.

– DAN ALBANO

GIRLS TENNIS

University remained atop the girls tennis ranking this week after posting a nonleague win over No. 9 Los Alamitos last Tuesday and following that up with a victory against Beckman in their Pacific Coast League opener on Thursday.

The Trojans’ young roster will face its toughest week to date as it travels to take on No. 4 Northwood today before hosting No. 2 Corona del Mar on Thursday.

University (6-1) has won 53 consecutive Pacific Coast League matches, and it has captured the league title for five consecutive years.

The Timberwolves (7-1) and Sea Kings (4-1-1) each have one loss this season. Northwood dropped a nonleague match to No. 3 Dana Hills, while CdM’s setback came against Peninsula last week. Peninsula is the top-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 1 this week.

– KENNY CONNOLLY

CROSS COUNTRY

A pair of Chicago transplants have quickly put their imprint on the Huntington Beach boys cross country program.

Brothers Alekos and Lars Mitchel have had a strong start to the season, giving the Oilers a three-pronged attack with returning senior Elijah Orr. At the Dana Hills Invite on Saturday, Alekos placed third in the Division 1 junior race. Lars was the victor in his freshman heat.

“My brother and I just moved out here a year ago from Chicago,” Lars said. “When we moved out to Huntington, a big thing for me and him was that we want to make a name for ourselves.

“We wanted to show (California) who the Mitchels were.”

The Oilers program had an all-around good day at the Dana Hills Invitational, as Cassie Durgy placed fourth in the girls sweepstakes competition. Senior Jasmine Mayr added a 19th-place finish.

“I’ve had a better start this year,” said Durgy, who placed 11th at Woodbridge on Sept. 19. “I think that’s mostly coming off track season. My form is a lot better coming off that.” …

Albert Nguyen (Oxford Academy) was the boys’ individual champion of the meet with a 16:18, but it did not keep Crean Lutheran from sweeping the team competitions. The Saints beat St. Margaret’s, 54-71.